Warning Signs of Impacted Wisdom Teeth
March 31, 2023 1:59 amWisdom teeth are the molars farthest back in your mouth. They typically erupt when you’re around 17-26 years old, but many patients don’t have adequate space for them. Without enough room, wisdom teeth can’t grow properly. It’s common for them to grow in crooked or to get stuck beneath the gums or embedded within the jawbone. Here are some warning signs that your wisdom teeth are partially or fully impacted:
- Gum swelling & tenderness
- Pain & swelling in the jaw
- Bad breath & an unpleasant taste in the mouth
- Headaches
Partially impacted wisdom teeth don’t fully erupt so just the crown is visible. This area can become tender and swollen. It’s also hard to clean, which increases your risk for gum disease. If your gums are swollen, tender, or bleeding at the back of your mouth, your wisdom teeth could be the culprit.
Impacted wisdom teeth can get infected. The pain and swelling often spread to your jaw, especially around the side of your face where the wisdom teeth are stuck. If your wisdom teeth are partially impacted, they can also push your other teeth around. This movement can hurt your jawbone.
Are you noticing a persistent, unpleasant taste in your mouth or that you have chronic bad breath? Bacteria tend to accumulate around impacted wisdom teeth, which can lead to tooth decay, cysts, and infection.
Impacted wisdom teeth can put a lot of pressure on your jaw. As the tension increases, the pain can radiate to the rest of your head. You may experience severe headaches alongside jaw and neck pain.
Wisdom teeth removal in Lakeland, FL
Impacted wisdom teeth can cause a lot of problems. Fortunately, Dr. Rasmussen performs gentle wisdom teeth removal at Imperial Christina Dental Care in Lakeland, FL. If you have questions about this procedure or if you’ve noticed any of the warning signs that your wisdom teeth are impacted, please contact us today to schedule a consultation!
Partially impacted wisdom tooth image from Authority Dental under CC 2.0
